It's not clear who will take the stand first Friday as prosecutors continue trying to prove the former suburban Chicago police sergeant killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He was charged after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007.

The judge refused to grant a defense mistrial motion Thursday, but made clear he entertained the idea. The issue was testimony from a prosecution witness who said he felt threatened by Peterson, an ex-Bolingbrook officer.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow denied the near-mistrial made his office look bad.